Draining coolant from volvo 2003

[Weyalan]

I am about due to replace the coolant in my volvo 2003. But damned if I can work out how to drain it. Anyone have any insight into how one is supposed to do this? Any other tips also appreciated.

Thanks.

[Paul L]

Look on the right hand side (starboard) rear of the block. You'll see a drain valve. To keep the heat exchanger clear on these engines, you need to change the coolant on regular intervals.

Paul L

[delmarrey]

On my VW (Pathfinder) I put a kitty litter pan under the fresh water pump and just pull the coolant hose off the pump. Once it's all out I pump a little air into the fill cap and it seems to force out the remaining fluid.

[Weyalan]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Look on the right hand side (starboard) rear of the block. You'll see a drain valve. To keep the heat exchanger clear on these engines, you need to change the coolant on regular intervals.

Paul L

Thaks for the info... I will have a look. What do you mean by "keep the heat exchanger clear"?

[Paul L]

The coolant you use in the engine is an anti-freeze. It also contains anti-corrosive properties. The heat exchanger on the 200x is a bunch of small tubes that can get junked up with corrosion. The coolant's anti-freeze capability will last for years. Its anti-corrosion capability does not last near as long. So changing the coolant on a regular basis is a good thing. Mine hadn't been done for a long time when I bought the boat and I needed to run a radiator cleaner through the system to get full flow.

Paul L

[Weyalan]

I had a look for the elusive drain valve the other day, but couldn't find anything obvious. Any further clues appreciated... otherwise I'm just gonna find the lowest level hose I can find and disconnect it!

So, is it ok to just use a commercial automobile radiator cleaner to clean up the heat exchanger? I ask because, as far as I know, the coolant in my engine has been there for nearly 2 years.

Again, thanks all for your advice.

[senormechanico]

Weyalan,

I just did mine today (Volvo 2020 B). There's a petcock about halfway down the block on the starboard side, just above the oil filter. It's painted green like everything else.

I dumped the coolant into the bilge and sucked it back out with a wet/dry vacuum.

Steve B.

[Paul L]

You aren't looking close enough. Go to the starboard side of the engine. Look to the rear 1/3, above the oil pan, there is a pit cock like device that sticks out. It is bronze and needs wrench to open it. It is probably painted green. You can slip a tuibe over the end of it to catch the coolant. It reallly is there.

Paul L